Toronto, ON (October 20, 2006) - Eva Avila, the 2006 Canadian Idol winner, has been selected to sing the national anthem for this year's Grey Cup on November 19 in Winnipeg at Canad Inns Stadium.

This will be the latest honour for the 19-year-old Gatineau, Quebec resident who has captured the hearts of Canadians with her powerful vocal style.

"I am so excited to perform at this year's Grey Cup," Avila said. "I know how much this game means to the country, and I can't wait to get to Winnipeg!"

CFL Commissioner Tom Wright said the addition of Eva Avila is a great opportunity to showcase a rising, Canadian star.

"Eva Avila connected with Canadians on Canadian Idol, and performing the national anthem in a signature Canadian sports and cultural event such as the Grey Cup is a great thing for the Canadian Football League and for Eva," Wright said. "We're glad to have her talent showcased for the millions of viewers who annually watch the Grey Cup in Canada and around the world."

"It's great having a new up-and-coming talent such as Eva Avila singing the national anthem after making a name for herself on Canadian Idol," Walters said. "It's an honour for the Grey Cup Committee and it will be a treat for everyone attending the game in person and everyone watching it on television."

Eva Avila had little more than three weeks to record the album she dreamed of making for years, but the Gatineau teen-turned-Canadian Idol swears she's more than satisfied with the effort.

The 13 songs on Somewhere Else, which hits stores today, were recorded at Sony BMG's Toronto studios and crafted by a bevy of professional songwriters, including Chantal Kreviazuk and Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida, who co-penned the ubiquitous first single, Meant to Fly, and Cyndi Lauper, who pitched in on This Kind of Love.

Avila swears she chose her favourite songs from hundreds made available to her and reworked them to suit her mix of pop, R&B and soul.

"That's what I was really happy about," she told the Sun. "I had a big say in this album. It wasn't like 'and insert face here. You're an Idol and we tell you what to say.' "

Avila had heard other Idol competitions around the world have their winner spit out an album in one week, with everything from songs to backup singers lined up in advance.

"That's insane. I would freak out if it were like that," she said. "It's not 'You, we're taking you and using you as an object.' A lot of people have that opinion on Idol. In this situation, I'm totally impressed."

WELL-WORN SINGLE

The well-worn Meant to Fly has been in rotation since hours after Avila's win. The second single, a Latin-tinged number called I Owe It All To You, will hit airwaves Dec. 4.

Avila had other concerns about the whole Idol thing, concerns that kept her from trying out for four years, until she made a quick turnaround last winter and decided to go for it at the Ottawa auditions.

"I thought, I don't know if I want to make it in this business that way," she said. "You know, instant stardom, you make an album quick quick, but does it last?"

LONGEVITY

By the time she had made it past the judges during tryouts, Avila had changed her mind about that. And though only time will tell, when she sat down with the Sun to talk about the album, she still seemed confident her career will surpass the more modest longevity of past Idol winners, such as Ryan Malcolm or Kalan Porter.

Mostly, she doesn't have any time to think about it just now. Avila is currently on a cross-country promotional tour which will blend into rehearsals for the national tour set to kick off early next year.

She is set to sing the national anthem at the Grey Cup in Winnipeg on Sunday, and return to her hometown in February when she is booked to sing at the Maison de la culture Feb. 20-21.

While Eva Avila's predecessors all proved they could sing, Sony BMG didn't seem to care about finding quality songs to include on their first discs. Avila lucks out with Somewhere Else, the best Idol debut, hands down. Instead of trying to turn the 19 year old into a rocker or a balladeer, she's given a collection of pop, dance, R&B and soul numbers -- with an urban feel akin to the Pussycat Dolls, Rihanna, etc. I Owe It All To You is a Latin-lite club thumper. Should I Fall ping-pongs with beats and guitars while Fallin' For You feels like synth-funk doo-wop.

Avila also gets to show off her soulful side. "Feels like I'm back in fifth grade/ daydreaming 'bout when you ask me to come and play," she croons on Weak In The Knees. (Granted, the lyrics are awful, but her sultry pout makes up for it.)

Avila might not necessarily have the best voice of all the Idol winners, but she has the most expressive chops, which makes her easy to listen to. Now, we'll just have to see if she can pass the biggest test -- touring. She plans to hit the road in 2007.